8 months
Written By: Esther / Category: News / View Comments: 2
Milestones: Emilia is crawling now (since 29 weeks), army style!! Emmy was the last baby (by over a month) to roll over. Now she’s the only one who crawls. William is the biggest hugger, really gripping and clinging, insisting to be held all day long (he switched with Jackson, typical). Jason finally admits that it seems like all 3 babies say, “mama.” All babies hold their bottles, but William is by far the best. The boys each have 6 teeth (the same six, of course), and Emilia has 2 teeth. All babies weight about 20 lbs (oh, the back pain).
William (Mr. Hug’s brother) is now nicknamed “Mr. Grips” or “Klinger” or “Klingon.” Both Jason and I settled on “Yemmy pants” for Emilia. It’s the only “name” she responds to anymore. Jackson is called, “Birdman” because he rolls his tongue and screams like a pterodactyl (I have footage to prove it).
So the boys switched up on me again. It was Jackson (a.k.a. Mr. Hugs), who originally did all the clinging – now William beats him by a long shot. Emilia still cries to be picked up, but we have yet to get an actual hug out of her. She sticks her arms and legs straight out, making a cross. You have to force her to sit instead of stand…on her tiptoes…Very strange. Everyone still has green eyes, but Emilia’s look different. I think they’ll go brown.
We’re making organic baby food. It’s sooo easy, and we save about $5 a day. Simply steam veggies and fruits and throw them in the blender. Also, don’t over-steam in order to keep as many nutrients as possible. I save the water used for steaming (filled with additional nutrients) and add to the blender. Use frozen stuff that’s too difficult to work with when fresh (peas, corn, green beans, mangos), and the rest, fresh (carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, avocados, pears, peaches, plums, apples, kiwi, strawberries, bananas, ect…). I pour the mixtures into ice cube trays (we have 8 trays) and pop out to defrost when needed. I try to use the baby food within 2 days to keep as much nutritional value as possible. Because of that, I make baby food at least three times a week.
Chronic back pain – upper and lower. Totally sucks. I’ve been saving for an elliptical machine, and I think we’re buying one when we get our tax return!! I’m sooo excited. I used to work out nearly everyday; I absolutely love the gym. Of course, I can’t afford to pay the nanny extra so I can go. (She already gets my entire paycheck, and I still spend a good deal of time working while the babies are up.) With the machine here, I can work out while the babies nap!
I’m adjusting to grad school curveballs while caring for the babies. Even with help, I don’t have enough. Things just pop up, without notice, and need to be dealt with immediately. This is particularly annoying when working with procrastinators. I can get things done in a hurry, but it’s really difficult, and my output suffers. My biggest struggle so far is dealing with the “surprise” work. In the past, I could always take time from this or that…now I can’t do that. For example, last week’s 4 day notice to write 32 questions for an exam really threw me. It’s not like I can set babies aside for later and return to them when I’m done. In retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have decided to teach a subject I’ve never taken (Industrial/Organizational psychology). Not only am I obviously tired, I have trouble answering questions because I don’t know the material well. It’s tough, I’m not gonna lie.
Late nights at school and early mornings with the babies followed by teaching 3 sections in the late afternoon is NOT working for me. Sleep deprivation and mental activity do not mix. I don’t know why babies are so exhausting, but even my students make comments about how tired I look. Sigh. If they only knew how discombobulated I am (I think they’re catching on). I thought kids would make me a better teacher, not worse. Something tells me my winning student evals are a thing of the past. Still, my research hasn’t suffered; I’m more involved and excited about it than ever. Never expected that, either.
About 3 or 4 mornings a week a baby wakes at 4am (ok, Emilia). I can’t function, so I changed their schedule. In my crusade for more sleep, babies are kept up until 8pm so they’ll sleep longer in the morning. Also, I nailed old dark curtains over their window so their room is PITCH BLACK. So far, I’ve seen improvement. Getting 5-6 hours of sleep nights before teaching will hopefully make a tremendous difference for me the next day. I might have a rough quarter, drop the ball here and there, but I’ll get through it. One good thing about being back in school is that I shower more than twice a week. :)
Jason would help more, but he’s just as busy as I am. He’s gone 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. Then he moonlights every night and weekend, so basically 2 full time jobs to make ends meet. He’s also in charge of all the extra projects that come up, like dealing with the 2 of us being employers, taxes, all the bills, ect…We have no time for each other, it’s absolutely crazy how busy we both are. We need a vacation…no…we need a honeymoon!!!
I’ll update with photos soon!
7 months
Written By: Esther / Category: News / View Comments: 4
Milestones: Emilia is practically crawling. She does an army crawl/roll that gets her all over the house. She has a strong focus and determination with objects – she sees them, goes towards them, manipulates them, explores, and conquers. She understands commands like “hands up” and, “come to mommy.” It seems like William “talks.” Jackson still holds my attention most frequently.
So, onto the sign language. Anything that promotes communication between me and the babies makes me feel so much closer to them.
I’m back in school full time, meaning I’m teaching undergrads (3 sections), running 2 research studies, and taking classes. I REALLY struggled in my first year of grad school. To me, nothing was more difficult than a research-based PhD program…I was wrong..haha! The program is a HUGE privilege, and not so impossible after triplets! I have A LOT to learn, (especially about statistics), but my confidence increased and my anxiety decreased. I feel competent.
The time away from the babies makes me enjoy them more. The time I spend at school makes me appreciate how awesome it is to have both a family and a career. Of course, often I double my workload; I’ve never worked so hard in my LIFE!! All in all, I’m doing better in school, and better as a mother.
Personality – 27 weeks
Written By: Esther / Category: News / View Comments: 4
Personality: I hate to dub their personalities already, but there’s no denying the differences among babies.
At the moment, Jackson could be described as the ring leader. He’s the reason wake times, meals, and naps begin. Every single morning, Jackson shouts to get up, stirring me and the other two (who would otherwise wait patiently). Everyone knows how Jackson feels; he yells whereas the others “talk.” His needs and desires are undoubtable. People often describe him as “bossy.” I never say a word about his personality to helpers, but everyone eventually says, “Boy, that Jackson…” as in, “He’s really loud and demanding.” He’s keenly aware of my location at all times, to the point that I sometimes hide from him. He gets “jealous” if I pick up another baby. I tell him he’s already been held, it’s someone else’s turn, but still, he ends up in my arms much more often than the others. Being the only one I held consistently in the hospital, he made himself the first baby bonded to me. As the first who really hugged, Jason nicknamed him, “Mr. Hugs.” He was also the first to scoot across the mat, roll in both directions, sit up, and cut teeth.
Emilia…she looks very “feminine,” but don’t expect her to be your typical girl, especially when she’s intent on something. She’s skilled with objects, and the only one who cries if her toy is taken (more like ripped from her hands). Whereas the boys will hold toys gently in their mouths, Emilia will take heads off. She’s intense. Since birth, she often [Continue Reading…]
26 weeks
Written By: Esther / Category: News / View Comments: 8
Milestones: Emilia rolled back to front AND front to back. William rolled back to front (I found him in the crib on his tummy). The boys mastered sitting, and Emmy does well, too, but she eventually falls over whereas the boys won’t. I’ve seen Jackson lie on the boppie before pulling himself into a sitting position.
We’re still suffering from Daylight Saving Time. My only hope is for the next one to come around and fix it!
They’re acting like “triplets.” If one starts crying, the other two look over in curiosity and start as well, for no apparent reason. Same goes for feeding. If one gets a bottle, the other two–otherwise content–start crying for the bottle, even if they’re not hungry. I never know to respond, hence the schedule. If one eats, all eat. If one naps, all nap. Although some think a schedule solely benefits the parents, that’s simply not true with multiples. Maintaining an ever-changing schedule with infants is much harder than one would expect.
I wish I were a morning person. Instead, I toss and turn all night, finally getting sleepy just about the time the babies wake up. I get up at 5am, 7 days a week…still, I don’t adjust. I seem to be functioning all right, so I guess another 6 months of this is doable. I hear it takes about a year for them to really stop waking during the night–and at 5am.
As much as we spend on formula, baby food, and diapers, our highest baby-induced expenses are the nanny (so I can continue my research, teach, and go to school), and medical bills. The nanny comes a maximum of 17 hours a week, totaling over $800.oo a [Continue Reading…]
6 months
Written By: Esther / Category: News / View Comments: 7
Milestones this week: Jackson rolled back to front and cut 2 teeth! Emmy stands, and stands…and stands. She never wants to sit.
Everyone eats about 6 ounces of solids a day: organic rice, veggies, and fruit. I’m patient, so if it takes and hour to get through a jar of peas, so be it. Like formula, organic baby food is extremely expensive. Because we’re not decreasing their formula intake, we’re adding another whooping $150.00 a month to our bills, bringing the grand total to $550.00/month for the babies’ FOOD ALONE.
Of course, our food bills are on the high side because we went organic. Many sources provide free formula, and between the pedi, “multiples” programs, coupons, and/or buying generic, we could’ve cut our costs to a third or quarter of the price. But I insist on organic, and no one gives free or reduced samples of organic anything, unfortuately.
I decided to make my own baby food. Any tips on this would be appreciated. I’m also trying to cut costs in other ways, like changing diapers less often, and never splurging on new outfits.
I lost the 4 hour schedule (it’s about 3 – 3.5); I just can’t let them cry to maintain the schedule. Also, someone ALWAYS wakes around 4:45am, and it’s never the same baby. I tuck the baby back in and he/she usually goes back to sleep until 6am. Of course, I’m up for the day.
Also, I’m relying more and more on the Einstein videos to keep them from crying. They’re bored with all the stations, and even me. They go for stroller walks every other day, eat at least one meal outside and play on [Continue Reading…]
Interview with a Working Triplet Mom
Written By: Esther / Category: News / View Comments: 3
Triplet mom, Meri Raffetto, is my inspiration. Since her babies’ conception (now 2 years old), she’s published 3 books. Her third book, The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Dummies®, just hit the shelves. The book launch party is Nov. 30th, in San Diego.
I interviewed Meri to find out how she takes care of triplets while working from home.
ME: When did you start and finish your first book, Glycemic Index Diet for Dummies?
MERI: I started right after I got pregnant with the triplets, and finished before they were born. It was rough, as I was on bedrest for the final 3 months, and finished in the hospital.
ME: UGH. I could hardly spell my name during the last months of pregnancy.
MERI: I did get some help to finish, but once they started the meds for preterm labor, I could [Continue Reading…]
